The power of words has never diminished
In a time when apps and games are popular, sadly reading books has lost some footing
My mother taught me to read before I started elementary school. My love affair with books began early and has continued all my life. As an only child, I took great pleasure in reading and exploring the world from the comfort of my own home. Books took me on many adventures and opened my eyes. They broadened my views by entertaining new ideas and enabled me to ask questions and to learn.
At elementary school and high school, I assisted at the libraries. I worked signing out, returning, repairing and shelving books. This way, I got my hands on more books and inevitably acquired more knowledge as a young person by reading. That was in the day of manual processing and card catalogues. In grade school, the kids used to call me “dictionary” because I loved to use the words that I acquired from a tiny book that gave me a new word to learn each day.
Learning those new words became both a game and a challenge. Math was not my thing, however, English was. Back when there was a Grade 13, I took two English courses. I read the works of such Canadian authors as Alice Munro, Leonard Cohen, Margaret Atwood, Farley Mowat, Margaret Laurence, Gabrielle Roy and Mordecai Richler. With this reading, my mind and heart continued to open. I grew an appreciation for the varied Canadian experience and the fabric of our cultural mosaic.
I went on to study English, Religious Studies and Education at university. I read works by Socrates, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Harper Lee, among others, in the process. Once again, I experienced the power of words. So too, I have enjoyed working at an academic library over the years and have found the work both interesting and challenging.
As writing has always been a big part of my life, words remain very meaningful to me. I recognize that everyone I meet has a story to tell and we can gain valuable insight from one another’s perspectives and life experiences. We have to try and see things from another’s point of view, to really get it. My intention is to carefully listen and then mine for the gold that presents itself.
As I read the Hamilton Spectator’s obituaries each day, I appreciate the ones that tell a story. How the person lived and what they meant to others, along with their accomplishments, become the crowning moments of their lives. These moments are to be shared and celebrated.
For as long as I can remember, my parents were avid readers of the Spectator daily. The paper boy would deliver it to our house in the evenings back then, and we all would read it. Even with electronics, I still prefer getting the actual newspaper and turning its crisp pages to see what is happening in the Hamilton and the world. I look forward to it each morning with a steaming hot cup of tea. So too, I still enjoy venturing to book stores and purchasing a book. This is like discovering a new relationship. A book stirs up ideas and feelings and its power is undeniable.
In a time when society is barraged with social media, there is so much power via words to bring attention to injustices, causes and voice opinions. Changing the words to “O Canada” for the lone wolf Canadian Tenor exemplifies how meaningful and powerful our national anthem is to us. He served to get Canadians to sound off on social media etc., at lightning speed. Observing the political landscape in the United States now, I am interested in the rhetoric of the candidates and how their approaches are so profoundly different. The presidential race is of interest to me in regard to its implications for Canada. I dissect the speeches and debates with enthusiasm. Yes, it’s a couch sport for me.
In a time when apps and games are popular, sadly reading books has lost some footing. Books are addictive just like those apps, when you get going. Reading leads to critical thinking, an invaluable life skill.
So too, we all know the power of our words. As my wise late father used tell me, it is better to say a few words less, than more of which one cannot take back. Words can do irreversible damage or demonstrate love, mend fences, encourage, empower, inspire and provide teachable moments. It is up to us how we choose to use them.
As Confucius once said, “Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more.” Indeed, in our current tumultuous world, we need to carefully employ our words in order to make needed positive contributions and differences.
As my wise late father used tell me, it is better to say a few words less, than more of which one cannot take back.